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The time spent preparing for the concert was passing quickly.

Since taking a vacation as actor Kim Soo-hyun, I had mostly spent my nights broadcasting occasionally and the rest on lessons.

The biggest problem for this concert was none other than stamina.

I tried every possible method to overcome this problem.

Simplifying the dance.

Filling the break time with a continuous lineup of guests.

Having several planned breaks in between.

Even with all these strategies, when I did the math, to be honest, it felt like I was on the edge, and I was worried.

Even if I don’t collapse midway, it’s already painfully exhausting, and I can feel it starting from my heart, no, from my skin.

Well…

“Huff… ha…”

“Are you okay?”

“Ah, yes…”

…I’m in the middle of rehearsal, and it’s really tough.

Coming to the studio for practical practice is really demanding.

The VR device is heavier than I expected, and dancing while singing drains a tremendous amount of stamina.

Moreover, since it’s live, I have to control my breathing and focus intensely to avoid making mistakes.

“Hang in there.”

“Yes…”

So, I have to keep practicing.

While struggling to catch my breath, I managed to rise.

The rehearsal hadn’t even gone around once.

Right now, the guests had stepped forward, and I was taking a moment to catch my breath.

On one side of the VR screen, I could see the members singing.

While I was briefly stepping back, I was witnessing the performance of the celestial group song.

It’s incredibly reassuring.

To be fair, even though it’s labeled a solo concert, looking at the guest roster makes it anything but solo.

It could be called a multi-concert at this level.

So, I really need to save my energy during these rare moments.

In one corner of the VR, I could see the empty audience area.

It would probably be packed on the day of the event.

Just thinking about that space being filled with people gives me strength.

Imagining the concert day, I rallied myself and continued the rehearsal.

“Huff, I think that should be enough.”

I felt satisfied and took off the VR headset just as the outside world darkened.

“How was it?”

I asked the manager, who had been watching the rehearsal until this late hour.

I could take breaks in between, but it felt better to stay put since I was there since lunch.

“I’d love to see it live in person.”

“Then please get a VIP seat.”

“Well, someone from the company has to monitor it.”

Unfortunately, the manager couldn’t attend the concert.

Instead, she would be monitoring from the headquarters.

I heard that other employees would handle the live management.

“By the way, Miro, how do you feel after rehearsing?”

“Me? Honestly, I’m just glad I practiced a lot.”

Having rehearsed at this hour, I understood.

It’ll definitely be really tough, but it’s possible.

Thinking of those times I struggled to jump rope due to lack of stamina, it truly is a dazzling growth.

“So, are you heading back now?”

“Yes, it’s getting late, so I plan to call a taxi to go home.”

“Oh, before you go…”

“Yes?”

The moment I was about to call a taxi to head home in the dark outside, the manager stopped me.

“The final product has arrived at the company. Do you want to take a look?”

“Final product? Oh, that?”

“Yes, it was a bit tense, but luckily it was completed on time.”

The final product… It seems that what I had been waiting for, without even seeing a sample, is finally ready.

“Well, I’ve been waiting, so it’d be nice to see.”

“Then let’s head upstairs.”

Thus, I walked with the manager towards the office area.

Now that I think of it, I’ve only been to the studio since coming to The Six headquarters, and being on the upper floor feels somewhat different from when I first saw it.

Notably…

“There are quite a few employees here, huh?”

Even at this late hour, there were a considerable number of employees in their seats.

Considering the empty spots, there must be even more.

I felt the company had indeed grown since Hyun-su came and signed for the staff last time.

“With all sorts of things happening, we’ve gained weight.”

“Oh…”

Indeed, The Six isn’t solely a company that runs the celestial ensemble.

Originally, the celestial realm was a part of a project to train broadcasters.

Hence, there are quite a few broadcasters belonging to The Six besides the celestial realm.

It used to be mainly focused on YouTubers, but now, thanks to the celestial realm, The Six has gained a reputation, leading to streamers frequently joining as well.

“I hope it continues to grow like this.”

“Me too.”

As I went upstairs with the manager, I looked around with a sense of satisfaction.

Not just me, but both the manager and I had entrusted our futures to The Six.

Considering the charts that have risen compared to when we first bought in, it makes me smile.

In fact, I’m still periodically investing.

Perhaps after I do the solo concert and the fourth generation comes out, it will rise even more?

As actor Kim Soo-hyun, my finances are getting fluffy, but stocks are another story.

Seeing the percentage of assets rising always brings joy.

“We’re almost there.”

“Ah, finally.”

Anyway, as I followed the manager into an office, I saw neatly placed items on a white desk.

“Wow… they turned out well?”

“Right?”

What lay before me were precisely Miro’s goods.

The plan is to first launch Miro’s merchandise and then create goods for the other celestial members as the timing allows.

“Wow, this is cute?”

The first thing I noticed was a huge cushion shaped like Miro’s face.

It felt so soft; it seems perfect for hugging while gaming.

“Can I take this home?”

“This one is for company display, but I’ll send a new product to your house.”

“Oh, thank you.”

A long time ago, not long after I returned to my family home, I had thought about wanting to replace the figural decorations and posters in my room with celestial realm goods.

It seems like that wish might finally come true.

Moreover, I saw several other goods.

From acrylic stands featuring SD characters to simple badges, keychains, phone chargers, and so on.

There were items that seemed to be based on the concept of the current album, not just Miro’s standalone goods.

Among them, there was a blanket illustrated with Tenshi, likely inspired by the album track ‘Wind.’

“Is this blanket okay?”

I unfurled it to admire the illustration and asked the manager.

Is this acceptable?

I figured Tenshi’s character probably has copyrights with that company over there.

“Oh, we collaborated with that company.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, we had some connections since we purchased studio technology in the past and have been exchanging frequently lately.”

“Wow… that’s impressive.”

Considering Tenshi’s company is a top-tier VTuber company in Japan, collaborating with The Six is quite the achievement.

I realized just how much The Six has genuinely grown.

“It’s all thanks to you, Miro.”

“I’d say it’s more due to Tenshi.”

Maybe it’s because I frequently collaborate with Tenshi that they feel closer to me?

Well, the higher-ups in the company would know the details, but that’s what I choose to believe.

As I continued to look at the goods on the desk, I suddenly felt something odd.

“Aren’t there too many goods?

There are so many different types, it’s harder to find what’s not there.

“Ah, for the first merchandise sale, even if we incur losses, we want to gauge our fans’ demand.”

“Oh… so you’ll use our Miro squad as a test?”

“Ahaha… you sure have a way with uncomfortable jokes.”

“Either way, I’m sure they’ll like it.”

Who wouldn’t appreciate the company releasing products despite incurring losses?

The pricier ones will be sold, and the minor ones will be given as gifts or bundled, so fans at the concert are bound to leave emptying their pockets.

I, too, would want to buy a plushie cushion of Miro’s face if I saw it.

“Oh, and I’m storing something important separately.”

“Something important?”

All these items seem significant to me!

I was thinking of receiving them all and displaying them in my room.

“Did you forget? We said we’d do a first reveal at the concert.”

“First reveal… wait, don’t tell me.”

“That’s right. Follow me.”

Nodding at my surprised expression, the manager headed deeper into the office.

Feeling an exhilarating thrill, I followed behind.

And then…

“Here it is.”

“Wow….”

I received the album carefully stored in a certain spot in the inner office from the manager.

“It looks amazing….”

“Right? The artwork truly has a vibe.”

The painting I once sent to Ahn Jung-hwan’s team, thinking it’d be better used as an album cover.

That very painting was boldly showcased as the album cover.

Even now, it looks well done.

I really poured my heart into it back then.

“This has all the tracks, right?”

“Yes, and we’re also planning to include Miro’s photo card as a gift when we sell it.”

“Wow, that’s totally idol-worthy.”

An album and photo card, huh?

Given that it’s Miro’s first reveal after being trapped in the virtual world, The Six seems to have gone all out.

“To us and the fans, Miro is indeed a real idol.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. Interacting with fans, releasing an album, and holding concerts—what else can you call that besides being an idol?”

“It would be perfect if you also appeared on a music broadcast next time.”

“I’ll be looking forward to that.”

For the fans, I’m an idol…

That’s true.

Thinking back to when I declared I would become an idol while eating at a soup restaurant with Hyejeong, didn’t I say I would become one?

Though I might be an idol of the 2D world.

That was already three years ago.

It truly makes me reflect on how far I’ve come in such a short time, and I opened the album for a look.

The very first thing to catch my eye was the album’s tracklist.

Loneliness, Wind, Multi-colored, Dilution.

And.

Completion.

The concert is truly just around the corner.

 

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